Adapting to Change Without Losing Yourself: How the S2i Builds True Resilience

Change is inevitable; the pain of change is not.

Whether it’s a new project landing on your desk, a company restructuring, or a career pivot, change doesn’t just test your skills—it tests your sense of self. Some people seem to adjust effortlessly, while others feel unmoored and reactive. The difference often isn’t talent or experience—it’s identity stability.

That’s where the Stability of Self Inventory (S2i) comes in. Backed by research in resilience, identity clarity, and emotional hardiness, the S2i gives you a data-driven picture of how you handle change—and how to do it better.

The Secret to Adaptability: Balance, Not Extremes

At first glance, stability and adaptability might seem like opposites. Stability keeps you grounded; adaptability helps you pivot. But the most effective leaders—and the happiest individuals—have both.

The S2i measures seven dimensions of identity stability, three of which are especially critical during times of change:

• Core Values & Meaning – Keeps you anchored to what matters most, even when everything around you shifts.

• Agency & Grit – Fuels confidence to act decisively while persisting through challenges.

• Openness to Learn – Supports flexibility and curiosity in the face of uncertainty.

Research shows that individuals scoring high in these areas recover faster from disruption and maintain better long-term performance—whether the change is a small shift in workflow or a life-altering career move.

Why Change Knocks Us Off Balance

When the pace of change accelerates, it’s easy to lose touch with who you are:

• In high-pressure work transitions, you might make quick, tactical decisions that don’t align with your long-term goals.

• During personal upheaval, you might adapt to others’ needs while neglecting your own values.

• Amid industry disruption, you might abandon proven strengths to chase every new trend.

Without a clear sense of self, you risk becoming reactive—letting circumstances dictate your path rather than leading it.

How the S2i Helps You Adapt Without Losing Yourself

The S2i empowers both individuals and coaches to transform change from a threat into an opportunity:

1. Know Your Baseline Before Change Hits

Your S2i results reveal where you’re naturally strong and where you might struggle.

• High Adaptability, Low Stability? You pivot easily but may overcorrect and lose focus.

• High Stability, Low Adaptability? You stay true to your values but may resist necessary shifts.

This self-awareness lets you prepare before the pressure is on.

2. Anchor to What Matters Most

The S2i’s Core Values and Meaning & Purpose dimensions highlight the “non-negotiables” that guide sound decisions.Coaching Moment: “When faced with this change, which of your top three values does this decision honor?”

By grounding decisions in purpose, you adapt with integrity rather than fear.

3. Build Adaptive Boundaries

Boundaries aren’t about avoiding change—they’re about shaping it.

• Accepting a new role? Set clear expectations for support.

• Exploring a new market? Ensure it aligns with your mission.

The S2i’s Agency dimension helps you take ownership of change rather than being swept away by it.

4. Practice Flexibility in Low-Stakes Settings

Strengthen adaptability through intentional practice: pilot a new process, join a cross-functional team, or tackle a small stretch assignment. The S2i’s Openness to Learn coaching prompts turn these experiences into growth, not just activity.

5. Protect Your Emotional Foundation

Major transitions can drain even the strongest leaders. The S2i measures Grit and Connection, reminding you to manage energy, lean on support systems, and recover intentionally.

Case Example: From Overwhelmed to Oriented

I was coaching a senior operations manager facing an industry upheaval. His initial S2i revealed that though he had high adaptability, he had low stability in his core values and meaning and purpose dimensions—he was reacting quickly but lacked a guiding compass.

Through coaching, he:

• Identified his top three values.

• Implemented a weekly “alignment check” to ensure decisions matched long-term goals.

• Practiced saying no to initiatives that didn’t fit.

Six months later, his S2i dimension scores improved significantly, and he reported feeling in control of his career again—proof that adaptability is most powerful when anchored in self-awareness.

Why This Matters for Coaches and Leaders

For coaches, the S2i turns vague discussions about “resilience” into measurable, actionable strategies. For individuals, it transforms change from something to survive into something to master.

In a world where disruption is the norm, the S2i ensures you don’t just adapt—you adapt without losing yourself.

Take the Next Step

Ready to navigate change with confidence? Discover how the Stability of Self Inventory can help you or your clients stay grounded, flexible, and effective—no matter what life throws your way.

Visit www.lacunaleadership.com to learn more, take the S2i, and start leading change—on your terms.